Handicapped by his injured shoulder problem during the last GP, Ricky Cardus was unable to defend his chances and he had to leave the title to the big favorite Eric Granado who won the race ahead of Steven Odendaal, Joe Roberts, Hector Garzo and Federico Fuligni .
On the eve of this last race of the season, Brazilian Eric Granado had a 16-point lead over Spaniard Ricky Cardus. So, if Cardus won, Granado had to finish at worst seventh to be titled, if Cardus was second, Granado had to finish twelfth, if Cardus was third, Granado was Champion by number of wins (five).
Moto2 Championship leader Eric Granado took his second pole position of the season on a circuit where he had won his last four races in the Moto2 European Championship. He was favorite to be crowned in Valencia, not only because of his points advantage over Ricky Cardús, but also because the latter was hampered by a shoulder injury which had worsened after his fall during the race of the World Championship last Sunday where he replaced Thomas Luthi.
The best start was to the credit of Joe Roberts, ahead of Steven Odendaal, Hector Garzo, Marcel Brenner, Eric Granado, David Sanchis and Ricky Cardus. Roberts, Odendaal and Granado broke away at the front, while Granado easily controlled fourth, two places ahead of Cardus. Corentin Perolari and his TransFiormers were not among the top 20 at the start of the race.
Cardus moved into fifth position and picked up the pace. Granado, fourth in front of him, did the same and came back to the group of three leaders. The Brazilian moved to third after overtaking Garzo. Cardus took fourth position shortly after.
At mid-race, the group of three first, made up of Joe Roberts, Steven Odendaal and Eric Granado, was gradually joined by fourth Ricky Cardus, while Hector Garzo fifth lost ground. It was enough for Granado to finish among these first four to be champion, but he did not really feel safe in the middle of the group and he preferred to take the lead with 7 laps remaining.
Cardus' shoulder dislocated (without having fallen) 4 laps from the checkered flag. He gave up at his stand. Eric Granado was the 2 Moto2017 European Champion. The Brazilian won the race with a clear lead ahead of Steven Odendaal, Joe Roberts, Hector Garzo and Federico Fuligni.
Moto2 European Championship race results:
Final classification of the European Moto2 Championship:
Photo © Dorna
